Open a Bank Account in Taiwan: Complete Chinese Guide

Your Money Deserves a Safe Home

Keeping your salary in cash under your mattress is not a financial plan. To open a bank account in taiwan as a foreign worker, you need your ARC, passport, and the ability to fill out a form entirely in Traditional Chinese. This guide walks you through every step, every form field, and every phrase you will need at the bank counter.

Featured Snippet: Banking Vocabulary

English	Traditional Chinese	Pinyin
Bank account	銀行帳戶	Yínháng zhànghù
Savings account	儲蓄帳戶	Chúxù zhànghù
ATM	自動提款機	Zìdòng tíkuǎn jī
Deposit	存款	Cúnkuǎn
Withdrawal	提款	Tíkuǎn
Transfer	轉帳	Zhuǎnzhàng
Bankbook	存摺	Cúnzhé
PIN code	密碼	Mìmǎ
Balance	餘額	Yú'é

1. Required Documents

To open a bank account in taiwan, bring these documents to any bank branch:

1. 居留證 (ARC) — Your Alien Resident Certificate. Original, not a copy.
2. 護照 (Passport) — Original passport.
3. 印章 (Seal/Stamp) — A personal chop with your name. Buy one at any print shop for 200-500 TWD. Some banks accept signatures instead.
4. Initial deposit — Usually 1,000 TWD minimum.

Recommended banks for foreign workers: 中華郵政 (Chunghwa Post — most branches), 兆豐銀行 (Mega Bank — foreign-worker friendly), 國泰世華 (Cathay United — good app).

2. At the Bank Counter: Key Phrases

Say these when you arrive:

• 「我要開戶」 (Wǒ yào kāihù) — I want to open an account.
• 「我要辦提款卡」 (Wǒ yào bàn tíkuǎn kǎ) — I want to apply for an ATM card.
• 「可以辦網路銀行嗎？」 — Can I set up online banking?
• 「請問手續費多少？」 — What are the fees?

3. Using the ATM in Chinese

ATM screens are in Chinese by default. Here is the menu translation:

• 提款 — Withdraw cash
• 存款 — Deposit cash
• 轉帳 — Transfer money
• 餘額查詢 — Check balance
• 密碼變更 — Change PIN
• 「請輸入密碼」 — Please enter your PIN
• 「交易完成」 — Transaction complete

4. Master Banking Chinese with MonChinese

MonChinese includes a dedicated finance and banking vocabulary deck. Practice ATM screen terms, form field labels, and banking conversation phrases before your bank visit.

Conclusion

Learning to open a bank account in taiwan independently means financial freedom: receiving salary directly, sending money home cheaply via bank transfer, and building a credit history for future opportunities.

📥 Download MonChinese for banking vocabulary:

• iPhone
• Android